Dublin football fans paid tribute to Jim Stynes’ life with a heartfelt standing ovation in a moving moment at Croke Park on Saturday.

As a video montage of his career highlights played across the big screen, football veterans in the stands reflected on his historic 1984 All-Ireland win at the venue.

Stynes helped win the All-Ireland medal for the Dublin minors in 1984.

For Dublin player Mick Darragh MacAuley, who grew up down the street from Stynes and has followed in his footsteps ever since, the tribute had a big impact.

“It was a huge inspiration, especially me as a midfield right before a game to see Jim go up and fetch balls out of the sky,” MacAuley, 25, said. “Himself and his brother (Brian) were my two biggest influences in Gaelic football.”

Meanwhile, it was a dismal day for Ulster hurling in the lower divisions with Down, Derry and Armagh all falling to heavy defeats.

Down remain rooted to the bottom of Division 2A after a 4-27 to 1-21 hammering to Kerry at Killarney. Kerry led by 2-10 to 0-11 at the break and Down struggled to sustain the fightback.

Shane Nolan and Shane Brick combined for 2-11 of Kerry's total.

Down host Westmeath at Newry on Sunday in the final group game. They have secured just one point from their four games — Wicklow — and it looks like those sides will be squaring up again on April 15 for the right to stay in Division 2A.